Memphis takes down FAU 78-74 at home
David Jones scored 25 points for Memphis to beat FAU for the second time in history.
Photo by: Gasner Delvarin Jr. | FAU junior forward Giancarlo Rosado at the free throw line during the ESPN Event Invitational
Gasner Delvarin Jr., Writer
February, 25 2024
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis Tigers (20-8, AAC 9-6) took down Florida Atlantic Owls (21-7, AAC 11-4) on the score 78-74 Sunday afternoon in their first meeting since they last met in the 2023 March Madness.
The Tigers had four players in double-digit scoring. David Jones was the high man with a double-double, 25 points, and eleven rebounds. Nae'Qwan Tomlin closely followed with 21 points, and Jahvon Quinerly added 14, while Jaykwon Walton chipped in for 11 points.
The Owls struggled to find a rhythm collectively and finished with a game-high, turning the ball over 14 times.
The junior center Vladislav Goldin for FAU was perfect from the floor, shooting 9 for 9, including 4 for 5, from the free throw line, contributing 22 points and eight rebounds.
Johnell Davis added 20 points but committed four turnovers.
Memphis kept the game within reach in the first half despite Brian Greenlee for FAU hitting his second three-pointer, giving the Owls a 27-20 advantage with 4 minutes to go.
Greenlee, who has struggled shooting 2 for 14 from beyond the arc in the past five games, later knocked down a third three-pointer to collect 9 points in the contest.
The Tigers fought back and tied the game at 27-27 on a three-point play by Quinerly with less than 2 minutes in the first half.
Memphis momentarily regained the lead on a three-pointer by Jones.
However, Brandon Weatherspoon found the hot man Goldin deep inside the paint, who scored off the glass for his 12 points.
FAU entered the locker room with a one-point lead at 31-30.
Memphis started the second half by forcing a quick turnover on Goldin to retake the lead at 32-31, but FAU responded with Alijah Martin knocking down a two-pointer plus the foul. He finished the game with 13 points.
Both teams traded baskets, resulting in 15 lead changes.
Memphis found a couple more opportunities off turnovers and built some energy to go up 43-39.
The Owls stayed within strike as Davis tied the game for a fifth time at 62-62 on a lay-up.
Nevertheless, Memphis continued to play with high energy and pushed the lead to 10 at 73-63 with under four minutes left on the clock as Jones knocked down a tough two-pointer over Weatherspoon.
With under 3 minutes to play, FAU buckled up on defense and brought the score back to 73-67 on Davis' last four trips to the free-throw line, hitting all of them.
The Owls kept plugging with Weatherspoon, who came downhill and knocked down a three, followed by Davis made free-throw, to cut the lead to 3 at 72-75.
The Tigers tightened up defensively to force Weatherspoon into a low-percentage three-point attempt, preventing FAU to even the score at 75 points.
Memphis held on to win on the score of 78-74 over FAU.
Florida Atlantic will host Tulane on Saturday, Mar. 2, at the Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena, tipping off at noon.
Brandon Weatherspoon, David Jones, Bryan Greenlee, Nae'Qwan Tomlin, Alijah Martin, Johnell Davis, FAU, Giancarlo Rosado, Sports, Vladislav Goldin, Gasner Delvarin Jr.